University College London: Ranking, Fees, Eligibility 2025

About the University College London

First established in the year 1826 as London University, the University College London, or UCL, is a public research institute which is known for its strong research output.

UCL is one of the leading institutes in the world where you can choose from a wide range of UG and PG courses across its 11 academic divisions. What sets UCL apart from other colleges is its research-intensive environment that can give you opportunities to be a part of groundbreaking research and contribute to the latest advancements.

In addition to this, UCL also has a high graduate employment rate and most of its students either find a job or study 6 months after completing their degree.

UCL Ranking

UCL is consistently ranked among the top 10 colleges in the world by various college ranking bodies. Especially for its courses like Psychology, Pharmacy & Pharmacology, Architecture & Built, and Environment Arts & Humanities. Below are the University College London ranking as per different ranking institutes:

1. QS World University Rankings: UCL is ranked in 9th position in the 2026 QS Ranking.
2. U.S. News & World Report: Similarly, it is ranked in 7th position in the 2025-2026 Best Global Universities rankings.
3. Times Higher Education: As per THE ranking, UCL stands in the 22nd position in the World University Rankings 2025.
4. European Rankings: Top 3 in the UK alongside Oxford and Cambridge.

In addition to these main ones, University College London also stands in 1st position in subject-specific rankings in Architecture & Built Environment and Education & Training.

Acceptance Rate

In recent years, the University College London acceptance rate is at 29.6% which means for every 100 applications, only 30 get accepted. However, do keep in mind that UCL’s acceptance rate can also highly depend on the type of course you want to pursue.

While some can be easy to get in, others might be competitive. For example, in 2024, the UCL’s English program had a 9.8% acceptance rate. Since University College London ranking is in the top 10 colleges globally, it is also highly competitive and attracts a large number of applicants.

Eligibility Criteria

To study at University College London, you have to pass the eligibility criteria depending on the course or program you want to pursue. Below is a table listing all the entry requirements for international students to study at UCL:

Popular Courses and Programs

UCL is known for providing some of the top courses across various fields like education, architecture, archaeology, and the life sciences. Most of University College London courses are also highly ranked in course-specific rankings, mainly in the top 10 global rankings.

Below is a list of top courses you can study at University College London at both PG and UG levels, along with highly ranked disciplines:

Campuses and Facilities

There are two main campuses of UCL, one in Bloomsbury and the other in UCL East. Both of these campuses are well-equipped and provide modern facilities to their students.

In addition to this, UCL is also highly committed to sustainability, and UCL East is powered by 100% renewable electricity. There are also plans for becoming a zero-carbon university by 2030. Below are unique features of both of these campuses that play a big role in making student life at UCL amazing:

1. Bloomsbury (Main Campus): It is located in the heart of London and is filled with both historic and modern buildings. On this campus, you can also find the Bloomsbury Theatre, the Institute of Making, and the UCL Library, which has over two million books.
2. UCL East: This is the newer campus where you can find modern, sustainable buildings with accessible design and stunning views.

University College London Admission Process

Even though the admission process for getting into University College London is simple, it is also highly competitive. This is mainly because they evaluate applications holistically, and there is a large number of applications for a limited number of places.

However, to get admission into UCL, you will have to follow these steps:

1. Explore and choose one of the University College London courses that best suits your career goals.
2. Meet the English language proficiency, academic, and other important requirements of the course or program you want to pursue.
3. Submit your application through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) for UG programs. If you are going for PG, then apply through UCL's online application portal.
4. Submit other required documents like academic transcripts, personal statement, letter of recommendation, and proof of English language proficiency.
5. Based on your course, you might need to sit through an interview, or you might need to give an entrance exam.
6. Wait for confirmation. Once you are selected, you will receive an offer.

Tuition Fees and Scholarships

Studying at UCL can get expensive, especially if you are an international student. However, there are various scholarships and funding that you can get to make your Student life at UCL affordable.

For UG courses/programs, you can expect to pay around £23,000 - £38,000 per year, depending on the course you pursue. And for PG courses/programs, you can expect to pay around £17,000 - £43,000 per year. Here are some University College London scholarships that you can get:

1. UCL Global Scholarships: This is for international students who come from lower-income backgrounds. It supports their living costs and/or tuition fees throughout their degree program duration.
2. UCL Research Excellence Scholarship: This covers the full tuition fees of the student and even gives a maintenance stipend for research students.
3. UCL Humanitarian Scholarship: It covers full tuition fees and also provides a maintenance payment to students. This also covers accommodation and other costs.
4. UCL Access Opportunity Scholarship: This is mainly for students who are unable to get student finance because of their immigration status. It covers tuition fees and gives a living allowance.

University Placements

University College London not only offers some of the best placement opportunities to its students, but it also has one of the best graduate employment rates of 90%. Most of its students get either a placement or go for further studies within six months of graduation.

These placements are generally integrated into the courses, and you can sit for different types of placements, like:

• Industry Placements: As a UCL student, you can participate in placements across various sectors like consulting, energy, banking, manufacturing, and more. 
• Research Placements: The UCL's School of Pharmacy offers research placements to students from partner universities through the Erasmus/Exchange scheme. 
• Work Experience: UCL also provides work experience opportunities for its students through partnerships with local institutes like University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. 

In addition to this, as a UCL student, you can also get a chance to get placed in UCL’s top recruiters like Bank of England, PwC, KPMG, Deloitte, Google, McKinsey and Company, IBM, BBC, and American Express.

Accommodation Options

Since UCL is located in the heart of the city, you can not only find great private Student Accommodation near university college London, but also university-provided housing options.

As a Student, you can choose from rooms in halls with shared facilities, unsuited rooms, or studios. Additionally, UCL also provides resources that can help you find private accommodation near campus. These include:

1. UCL Halls of Residence (Catered): Includes breakfast and dinner (Monday-Friday) or brunch (Saturday and Sunday)
2. UCL Halls of Residence (Self-Catered): Here, you have to prepare your meals in a shared kitchen.
3. Private Halls of Residence: These are similar to UCL’s halls; the only difference is that they are not managed by the university.
4. Other Options: You can also choose from other types of student accommodation in London, like private rentals or apartments.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that the University College London is one of the top colleges, not just in the UK but also in the world. So, if you want to kick-start your career in an institute which is highly regarded for world-class research and a strong international reputation, then UCL is the place to be. In our blog above, we mentioned everything you might need to know about this college. However, if you still have some queries regarding moving to another city or finding the right student accommodation in UK, feel free to connect with us at GraddingHomes.com.

FAQs

1. What Courses is the University College London Known for?

The University College London is known for its programs in architecture (The Bartlett), economics, computer science, medicine, law, and global health. UCL has also been consistently ranked among other top universities around the world for these subjects. It even offers a total of 400 undergraduate and postgraduate degrees across various disciplines.

2. Is the UCL Good for International Students?

Yes, UCL is highly regarded as one of the best colleges for International students, mainly because of the high-quality education and student-friendly environment. It also has a large global student population and strong academic support. UCL also offers language help and cultural integration programs to international students.

3. How do I Apply to the University College London?

For UG courses, you can apply through UCAS using UCL's institution code (U80). And for PG courses, you can submit your applications directly through UCL’s website. However, do keep in mind that there might be different requirements for different courses, which might need extra documents for the application.

4. What is Student Life like at UCL?

UCL has a vibrant and diverse student life with over 300 clubs and societies, cultural events, and a central London campus. As a student, you also get access to museums, nightlife, and green spaces for an amazing academic and social experience.

5. Can I find Student Accommodation in London Near UCL?

Yes, you can easily find great private and university-provided student accommodation in London near UCL. The college also guarantees accommodation for eligible first-year students. There are also many private housing options in nearby areas like Camden and Kentish Town, though prices vary widely.